First report of the aphid, Appendiseta robiniae (Gillette, 1907) (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea), from Iran

During the faunistic survey of aphid species associated with ornamental shrubs in the urban green spaces of Mashhad, the capital city of Khorasan-Razavi province of Iran, in 2015, specimens of the species Appendiseta robiniae (Gillette, 1907) were collected from a colony on Vitex agnus-castus. This aphid species is reported here for the first time from Iran

First report of three species of dark-winged fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae), on Pinus mugo Turra, from Iran

During a survey in 2015, three dark-winged fungus gnat species, Bradysia odoriphaga Yang & Zhang, 1985, Bradysia trivittata Staeger, 1840and Scatopsciara atomariaZetterstedt, 1851 were identified and recorded here from Iran for the first time. The genus Scatopsciara Edwards, 1927 is newly recorded from Iran as well. The identification of specimens were confirmed by Dr Kai Heller (Germany). The sciarid species were collected on the pine trees, Pinus mugo Turra, in the urban green landscapes of the city of Mashhad, Khorasan-e Razavi province, Iran

A new species of the family Mesopsocidae (Insecta: Psocoptera) on ash trees from Iran

در بررسی تنوع گونه‏ای بندپایان درختان زبان گنجشک در شهرستان مشهد و حومه، نمونه‏هایی از شپش‏های چوب و کتاب در اسفند سال 1392جمع‌آوری شد که توسط پروفسور Charles Lienhard از موزه تاریخ طبیعی سوئیس با نام علمی Mesopsocus hiemalis Marikowskii (Psocoptera: Mesopsocidae) شناسایی گردید. این خانواده، جنس و گونه برای اولین‌بار از ایران گزارش می‌شود

Population Dynamics of Macrosiphum rosae (L.) on Different Cultivars of Rose (Rosahybrida, Rosaceae) and Biodiversity of its Predators in Mashhad

Introduction: Rose (Rosa hybrida (L.), Rosaceae) has been grown on earth for millions of years and has been used for beauty and decoration of gardens, extraction of perfume and in medicine. But main use of roses is in cut flower industry and landscaping. Roses are attractive for insects, especially aphids (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 17, 27, 28, 35, 38). Among them, the predominant aphid that feeds on the cultivated roses in outdoors is the rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (13, 27, 28, 29). The rose aphid has a wide distribution throughout Iran and the world (27, 28, 29). Rose aphids generally initiate feeding on roses in early spring as the new flush of growth emerges. Like other aphid species, rose aphids tend to congregate or cluster in large numbers feeding on the terminal growth including leaves and stems, and developing flower buds, and on leaf undersides. Their feeding causes deformity flower buds and leaves which may result in flower buds aborting or falling off prematurely before opening. In addition, aphids secrete honeydew, which attracts ants, wasps, hornets and serves as a growing medium for certain black sooty mold fungi. Rose aphids are attacked by anvarray of natural enemies including parasitoids and predators such as ladybird beetles, green lacewings, syrphids and several other groups of arthropods. These may provide natural regulation depending on the number of rose aphids present and other biotic and abiotic factors. Although many herbivorous arthropods may attack roses but many roses cultivar can resist against these pests (23, 26, 28, 40). An important factor influencing this success is careful selection of varieties, which vary significantly in susceptibility to pests and disease problems (9, 13, 19, 21, 23, 30, 40). Of course, other factors such as agricultural practices and the presence and activities of natural enemies of pests are also important. This study aimed to determine any resistance against rose aphid in different rose cultivars in landscapes of Mashhad and also to determine the diversity and abundance of the rose aphid predators throughout the seasonal growth in the study area. Material and Methods: Research to investigate the resistance of different rose cultivars against rose aphid and the biodiversity of its predators was conducted at the campus of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad from Mid-March of 2013 to late march 2014. Six rose cultivars including Ice berg, Miniature, Josephine bruce, Piccadilly, Fairy & Blessing were sampled weekly in three sampling sites. For sampling, four cut sections (5 centimeters of terminal part of randomly selected shoot) of each cultivar in each site were cut and put in a plastic bag and brought to the laboratory for counting the number of different stages of rose aphid as well as the associated predators. For purpose of identification of immature stages of the aphid predators, immature stage was kept until they reach to adult stage in the laboratory. Results and Discussion: A seasonal fluctuation of rose aphid was recorded throughout the season on six rose cultivars (Table 1). Overall, this aphid was more numerous in spring and early fall on all studied cultivars (Figure 1). By approaching the summer, the population of rose aphid on all rose cultivars, except the Fairy and Miniature varieties declined to zero. Analysis of variance showed that differences in mean population of rose aphid among studied cultivars was significant (